Questioning the need and feasibility of a new gun buyback

Critics of the proposed national gun buyback raise several practical and principled objections. First, they note that the Bondi Junction attack was carried out with a knife, not a firearm, questioning whether gun buybacks would have prevented it. Second, state premiers point to the high cost of compensating gun owners and administering the scheme, especially as budgets are already strained. Some argue that existing state laws already regulate firearms effectively and that a federal buyback would duplicate efforts without clear benefit. Gun owners' groups warn that the scheme unfairly targets law-abiding citizens while criminals obtain weapons illegally. There are also concerns about the definition of 'high-powered' firearms and whether the buyback would apply to licensed collectors and sport shooters. Opponents say that without a clear threat from legally owned guns, the scheme risks being an expensive and divisive measure that fails to address the root causes of violence. They urge a focus on mental health and policing instead of a sweeping buyback that may not achieve its stated goals.